'Budgets stretched' after publisher delays release of unannounced game
Oxford-based independent Gusto Games has made “between a quarter and a third” of its staff redundant, the studio has confirmed to develop.
Yesterday 14 staff were handed their notice, the spokesperson said, while another three were said to have left voluntarily.
It was suggested by a Gusto spokesperson that the layoffs were unpreventable as a publishing partner moved release dates for one of the studio’s current projects.
This, in turn, was said to have stretched the studio’s budgets – with redundancies a necessary adjustment.
In 2009 Gusto closed a studio in Derby, leaving the Oxford studio its only base.
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Gusto is now embarking on a studio transition – from a developer of ‘old guard’ retail games to one that will engage in smaller and potentially more cost-effective digital and mobile games.
The studio has recently developed Wii ports of large franchise games, from DJ Hero to Ashes Cricket.
A sad day indeed. I feel for all those out of a job today. Here's hoping that those who remain will be able to pull together and get through the difficult times ahead.
I get even more disappointed these days with the state of the industry here in the UK. I'm aware of some really skilled developers who haven't got jobs in the industry at the moment and its such a waste of talent, such a waste.
Yeah, what'd be nice is if they'd pay the staff like me that they made redundant. They must be paying the people who they kept on.
We were not given any notice. Did not even pay our salary for January .......forget the notice period and holidays...escorted us out like we have sacked disciplinary grounds ... total humiliation...
If you want the real story ... please leave your contact details here ...
All 14 of us can meet you and tell you the actual story ....
I'm shocked - I left Gusto for another job only a month or two ago! My heart goes out to you all guys.
I'm hearing a lot about the conditions of dismissal and I can't see how the Directors expect this to end with anything other than even more staff walk outs. At least if they were taking care of the staff they were letting go the staff left behind might not be so scared but being herded from the office with outstanding pay, no notice pay or redundancy packages? I would be the remaining staff will have all spent the weekend submitting CVs too.
The behaviour of the management at Gusto has been nothing short of shameful.
Hey all, was so sorry to hear about this the other day. I hope you've all spent the weekend relaxing and not souring over this. You're all great developers and any studio would be lucky to have you. Take this as a sign to get out of Banbury and go work somewhere you can be appreciated.
Keep safe,
Jack
Did they give a reason why some were sacked and some got to stay?
Publishers withheld payments because Gusto management failed to deliver any project on time and which met platform holder approval for release.
A publisher delayed a US release because the Euro version flopped.
To cut costs close to half the staff were made redundant and not given notice. And half (17) have not been paid wages.
Shamefull incompetent managment let every project overrun at great expense to every Publisher, all who didn't see why they should pay for it.
If the directors of this company relaunch please think about the unlawfull way they treat staff and incompetently conduct themselves.
To think these are my colleagues posting up on here dissapoints me. Bad mouthing and accusations won't get us anywhere. In fact you are probably doing more damage than good. We're bound to be in shock and need some time - but try to keep your cool...we're in this together. All the best to Gusto and to those working hard right now - there is plenty enough talent and know-how there to recover from this and I have friends there.
Nobody's going to attack Gusto and there is no reason to be disappointed by what he said.
He did nothing but say the truth.
Matt, the law says kick an employee out but legally pay him/her the salary and give him/her the notice according to the contract! No problem!
If Gusto is trying to say that they did the best (for months) to try and not kick you out till the actual day.. then you should try and understand that you are actually in a worse state as compared to what your situation would have been if you got paid and got a proper notice.
But since they didnt pay you and never bothered to give you notice, you are in a bad situation now. They were not kicking you out for months, not because they were so bothered about you, but they were churning out your energy and sweat to squeeze out the cash for the work you were doing (& you got nothing)...
the least they were worried about is all the 17 people who were kicked out and their families ...
I am sure your ex-directors are having a laugh and a nice time now ..... with the rest of people who i am sure have started looking for jobs already except for a handful maybe
I am sure the guys with kids and family wont wait till another doom day when the bad managers does another redundancy movement and walk away without paying people their salaries. A total shame for all the owners/directors I would say to do such a thing to the 17 people who have been affected.
I really hope all of them get jobs very soon and get settled.
Personally I have a mortgage, MOT and car insurance to pay this month, I can make a tin of beans stretch (theres a skill) but thank goodness I dont have kids to feed too ffs.
The lesson here is once your company gets low on contingency money warn employees of redundentcy so they can make an informed decision and not be financially & emotionally ruined with no notice. Its basic human compassion. I know Gusto didnt intend this to happen but spotting fatal risk is a key business skill. Good luck to everyone.
Gusto Games hires Justine Vaughan of Triangle HR and pays her to delay this whole process of payment of the money they owe these 17 employees. Some phone numbers have been supplied, which, 95% time goes into voicemail or received by some receptionist who repeats the same words ... "Justine is out of office".
After a shameful and unlawful act of throwing out 17 people without wages and notice, Gusto Games carries out their shameful act of trying to save the money by hiring Triangle HR who tries to dodge all questions or phone calls from these "redundant" ex-employees. Shame to Gusto Games and all the 6 owners/directors.
